SJB and dissident SLPP MPs to boycott interim budget vote

The main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) says its parliamentarians will refrain from voting in the Interim Budget 2022 this evening.

SJB MP Thushara Indunil stated this while speaking to the media this morning. Meanwhile, SJB general secretary MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara also confirmed the party’s decision to abstain from voting.

Meanwhile, Prof. G.L. Peiris revealed that the group of MPs from Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), who recently decided to sit in the opposition, has also decided to boycott the interim budget vote.

Earlier this week, 13 SLPP MPs Prof. G.L. Peiris, Dullas Alahapperuma, Prof. Channa Jayasumana, Prof. Charitha Herath, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa, Prof. Gunapala Rathnasekara, Dilan Perera, Udayana Kirindigoda, Wasantha Yapa Bandara, Upul Galappaththi, Thilak Rajapakshe, K.P.S. Kumarasiri and Lalith Ellawala announced that they would break away from the ruling party and sit independently on the opposition benches in the House.

In the meantime, the National People’s Power (NPP) said it intends to announce its decision at a media briefing, scheduled to be convened this afternoon.

President Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies, delivered the Interim Budget 2022 or the second reading of the Appropriation (Amendment) Bill when the parliament convened at 1.00 p.m. on August 30.

On August 31 and September 01, the parliament debated the second reading of Interim Budget 2022. The debate will continue the debate until 4.30 p.m. today, after which the Bill is slated to be passed after the committee stage and third reading.